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Team

Department of Translational and Applied Genomics (TAG)

Meet Our Team

TAG has an experienced and talented team of people to work on our genomics studies. Each team member brings their own accomplishments and experience that enhance the whole. Team members have expertise in leading research projects, and in conducting studies using a broad range of research methods. They have expertise in recruiting, enrolling, and retaining participants in studies. They have expertise in proper handling of a variety of biospecimens, phlebotomy, and chart abstraction. Team members are well versed in regulatory compliance and experienced in project management. TAG staff members also have expertise in determining whether patients’ genomic test results are actionable, returning test results to patients, and providing genetic counseling.  

  • Willa Brenowitz, PhD, MPH
  • Investigator
    Pronouns: she/her/hers
    Willa.D.Brenowitz@kpchr.org
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  • Dr. Willa Brenowitz, PhD, MPH, (she/her) is an epidemiologist with a research focus on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias. Her main interest in genetic studies is conducting Mendelian randomization studies, or genetic instrumental variable analysis, to better tease apart causes of dementia from markers of preclinical AD. She is also PI of a pilot study to examine whether genetic ancestry modifies the link between APOE genotype and dementia risk in the Kaiser Permanente Research Bank study of 400,000 KP members. Dr. Brenowitz earned her MPH in health services and PhD in epidemiology from the University of Washington, and she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
  • Joanna Bulkley, PhD
  • Assistant Investigator
    Pronouns: she/her/hers
    Joanna.E.Bulkley@kpchr.org
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  • Dr. Bulkley is a developmental psychologist and health care researcher with more than 25 years of experience conducting collaborative research in a wide array of health science fields. She works with a range of research methodologies with a focus on observational and survey research and has extensive experience directing multi-site, large network consortium projects. As the site Principal investigator of the Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) project she directs the work of the actionability curation and administration teams. She is also chair of the ClinGen Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Coordination Team and a member of the ClinGen Ancestry and Diversity Working Group. In addition to genomic health her broad research interests include process improvement, quality of life in cancer survivors, and maternal health.
  • Mari Gilmore, MS, CGC
  • Certified Genetic Counselor, Research Associate III
    Pronouns: she/her/hers
    Marian.J.Gilmore@kpchr.org
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  • Mari Gilmore has worked as a board-certified genetic counselor since 2010 and has experience working in a variety of clinical specialties. She has been involved with several genetics and genomics studies at the Center for Health Research, beginning in 2011. Her research interests include the identification of individuals with hereditary cancer syndromes, the clinical actionability of genomic test results, and the development of inclusive and equitable genomics research approaches. She received her bachelor’s degree at Willamette University and her master’s degree from Boston University. Interests outside of work include spending time outdoors in the Pacific Northwest with family and friends.
  • Jessica Ezzell Hunter, PhD
  • Senior Affiliate Investigator
    Pronouns: she/her/hers
    Jessica.E.Hunter@kpchr.org
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  • Dr. Jessica Ezzell Hunter is a genetic epidemiologist who focuses on the impact genomic variation has on health and well-being. She has led and collaborated on studies to improve care for hereditary cancer syndromes, genetic intellectual and developmental disability syndromes, and other complex genetic conditions. Hunter is a co-chair of the Actionability Working Group of NIH’s ClinGen project, which generates assessments of clinical actionability associated with genome variation. She is PI of the GRACE study, which seeks to increase genetic testing rates in women with ovarian cancer to provide women and their family members with cancer risk information. Hunter earned her doctorate in genetics and molecular biology from Emory University and her master’s degree in human genetics from Tulane University. Hunter is an avid traveler and cyclist. She also enjoys knitting and watching classic movies with her husband and dogs.
  • Charisma Jenkins, PSM
  • Project Director
    Pronouns: she/her/hers
    Charisma.L.Jenkins@kpchr.org
  • Charisma Jenkins has worked on complex, multi-site genomic and cancer research studies since 2005. Her research experience includes the management of studies returning genetic test results and studies collecting and processing blood, saliva, urine, and tissue samples. She has worked on several cancer studies, including breast, colorectal, endometrial, and lung cancer studies that utilize the tumor registry data at KPNW. Jenkins has a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of Washington and a professional science master’s degree in molecular biosciences from Washington State University. She is at her happiest under a canopy of trees or near the ocean breathing in the salty air.
  • Stefan Massimino, MS
  • Project Manager III
    Pronouns: he/him/his
    Stefan.Massimino@kpchr.org
  • Stefan Massimino has been a senior project manager at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (CHR) for over 12 years and before that worked an additional 13 years as a research scientist at Procter & Gamble. Since joining CHR, he has managed numerous studies during this period including several large multi-nodal studies including the COPD Outcomes-based Network for Clinical Effectiveness and Research Translation (CONCERT), The Community Health Applied Research Network (CHARN), Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs), Glycemic Observation and Metabolic Outcomes in Mothers and Offspring (GO MOMS), and Sleep for Health: A Randomized Clinical Trial Examining the Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia on Diabetes Risk. Mr. Massimino received his MSc in Nutrition and Metabolism at the University of Alberta, Canada.
  • Kristin Muessig, MSc
  • Project Director
    Pronouns: she/her/hers
    Kristin.R.Muessig@kpchr.org
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  • Kristin Muessig has been working on complex multi-site genomic and cancer research projects and consortia at the Center for Health Research for over 17 years. She has extensive experience directing and managing operations, complex budgets, contracting, recruitment and communications, research compliance, and data agreements as well as returning of results and specimen collections. Ms. Muessig holds a M.Sc. in Nutrition Sciences from the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Germany and is certified in Health Care Project Management. Ms. Muessig is bilingual in English and German.
  • Christine Pak, PhD
  • Research Associate II
    Pronouns: she/her/hers
    Christine.Pak@kpchr.org
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  • Dr. Christine Pak is a ClinGen Actionability Curator, working to define the clinical relevance of genes and variants for use in precision medicine and research. Pak has expertise in endocrinology and cardiovascular genetics; she has also worked in a diagnostic lab setting, creating and validating genetic testing assays, interpreting genetic variants, and writing clinical reports. Her role in the TAG department includes literature review and synthesis of reports detailing clinical actionability of genetic conditions. Pak received her PhD in human genetics from Northwestern University.
  • Sam Peterson
  • Project Manager I
    Pronouns: he/him/his
    Christopher.S.Peterson@kpchr.org
  • Sam Peterson has been at the KPNW Center for Health Research for over 12 years providing admin and research assistance to many different studies. Currently, he is leading the Connect for Cancer Prevention study Biospecimen Team at the Airport Way Regional Lab as a Project Manager I. In that role he oversees and assures biospecimen collection handling and shipping, including supply management. Sam is also an active member of the Connect Recruitment Team. He contributes to creating and updating study documents detailing the procedures and policies related to biospecimen coordination and participant recruitment. Before being promoted to Project Manager, Sam worked as an Administrative Assistant and a Senior Project Assistant (SPA) at the KP Center for Health Research (CHR) for multiple years, supporting numerous studies and projects, including the Western Region on the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (NDPBRN) and the National Coordinating Center of NDPBRN. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech. On weekends, you are likely to find him riding his bicycle in and around the Portland metro area.
  • Yolanda Prado
  • Project Manager III
    Yolanda.K.Prado@kpchr.org
  • Yolanda Prado has over two decades of experience working in the clinical research field, including over 15 years of experience working in oncology research. Since joining CHR in 2018, she has served as project manager for studies on cancer etiology, prevention, and early detection; genetic risk analysis in ovarian cancer; vaccine safety and effectiveness; herpes infection and diagnosis of dementia; and COVID. Prado earned her BS degree from Eastern Oregon University and studied in the areas of pre-nursing, genetics, and psychology. She is a Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP).
  • Ana Reyes, MBA
  • Project Manager I
    Pronouns: she/her/hers
    Ana.A.Reyes@kpchr.org
  • Ana Reyes is a project manager with expertise in a wide range of patient-engaging settings. Reyes earned her MBA in Health Services from Eastern Washington University. Her previous work includes patient care delivery and client services. Her experience includes patient recruitment, data collection, patient chart abstraction, research compliance, and analysis, in addition to assisting clinical research teams in ensuring the most effective and efficient conduct of clinical research studies by providing administration and project tracking support.
  • Sarah Vertrees
  • Project Manager I, Biospecimen Coordinator
    Sarah.Vertrees@kpchr.org
  • Sarah Vertrees is a Project Manager and Biospecimen Coordinator with more than 18 years of research experience in both clinical and laboratory settings. Vertrees began working for CHR in 2009 and has worked on clinical trials and in the lab as well as managing a variety of projects.  She also has experience with tissue registries and biorepository tasks. Vertrees graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in biology. She is a certified phlebotomist and is certified in Health Care Project Management. Vertrees enjoys doing anything in the sun—swimming, gardening, or spending time at her family cabin on Hood Canal. She is also learning to quilt.
  • Photo of Jacob Wagner-Gonzalez
  • Jacob Wagner-Gonzalez
  • Senior Project Assistant
    Pronouns: he/him/his
    Jacob.W.Wagner-Gonzalez@kpchr.org
  • Jacob Wagner-Gonzalez had been working as a phlebotomist, laboratory assistant, and cytology lab assistant over the ten years prior to coming to KP's Center for Health Research. Here at CHR, Jacob works to support biospecimen processing and shipping, as well as participant recruitment tasks for the Connect study. Jacob likes to spend his free time playing video games with his friends, painting tabletop RPG miniatures, or getting out to the beach with his spouse.
  • Lisa Waiwaiole, MS
  • Research Program Manager
    Pronouns: she/her/hers
    Lisa.Ann.Waiwaiole@kpchr.org
  • Lisa Waiwaiole has been involved in numerous and varied research projects at CHR since 2006. She has experience in large research networks and conducting research in health care delivery systems. Waiwaiole’s primary research areas include smoking cessation, oral health, and oncology. She supports TAG staff as well as other Center investigators in proposal and budgeting work. She has an MS in psychology with an emphasis in statistical analysis and evaluation from Western Washington University.
  • Sheila Weinmann, PhD, MPH
  • Epidemiologist
    Senior Investigator
    Pronouns: she/her/hers
    Sheila.Weinmann@kpchr.org
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  • Dr. Sheila Weinmann is an epidemiologist who focuses on cancer, with an emphasis on molecular epidemiology. Weinmann has more than 25 years’ experience leading epidemiologic studies. She serves as KPNW Site PI for two studies refining tests that stratify patients with early-stage breast cancer into different risk groups to guide treatment decisions. She helps lead the national Kaiser Permanente Research Bank, a resource that combines the health records, biospecimens, and health survey data of 400,000 KP members. She also chairs CHR’s Advisory for Biospecimen Committee, which oversees research access to biospecimens stored in the Northwest Biobank and the Northwest Tissue Library. Weinmann has led epidemiologic studies of molecular factors in relation to cancer screening, progression, recurrence, and mortality. She has also conducted research on varicella, herpes zoster, human papillomavirus (HPV), invasive pneumococcal disease, pertussis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and primary cardiac arrest. Weinmann received her PhD in epidemiology from the University of Washington. She is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).
  • Jamilyn Zepp, MS, CGC
  • Certified Genetic Counselor, Research Associate II
    Pronouns: she/her/hers
    Jamilyn.M.Zepp@kpchr.org
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  • Jamilyn Zepp has worked as a genetic counselor since 1995 with special interest in the inherited causes of cancer and experience in prenatal, pediatric, and adult genetics. Since starting at CHR, she has worked on studies related to Lynch syndrome, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC), ovarian cancer. Her focus has been on the diagnosis of individuals with hereditary risk for cancer, testing family members (cascade screening), and working to reduce care gaps in cancer screening for this population. Ensuring more equitable access and streamlining the process for genetic counseling and genetic testing are among her topics of interest. She received her bachelor's degree in Genetics and Medical Ethics from the University of Washington and her master’s degree in Genetic Counseling at the University of California, Berkeley. Outside interests include learning to sew and knit and spending time with her family.

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